MBAs Go Wild, Attack Tyrannosaurus Rex

If you’re discouraged by the financial situation now, just wait until the Kellogg School MBA candidates graduate. Here’s an email the classes of ’09 and ’10 received last week.

Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2008 12:54 PM
To: class09and10@kellogg.northwestern.edu
 
Subject: Student Conduct at Social Events
 
Students,
 
During our time at Kellogg, we have many opportunities to strengthen the “Kellogg” brand. Our relationships with one another and the time we spend together, both at Jacobs and away from campus, often provide great benefits to students and the school. Unfortunately, there are also times when students’ conduct can have a negative impact on the brand. Since CIM Ball, there have been many rumors about what occurred that evening. KSA would like to provide clarification as well as provide a few reminders:
 
The Field Museum made the decision to shut the bar at CIM Ball down early because of student behavior, NOT because they ran out of alcohol. A few examples of such behavior included:
 
*Students were throwing things at a historic artifact: Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, which The Field Museum purchased for over $8.3 million
 
*Students were vomiting on themselves and on the Field Museum Floors
 
*Students were spitting at people
 
*Students attempted to smuggle in a substantial amount of alcohol (large trash bins full of bottles and cans and flasks)
 
*Students passed out in high-traffic areas
 
*Students arrived at an open bar event already too overserved
 
While these examples apply to a very small minority of students, it only takes a few negative incidents to tarnish our brand. It is pretty embarrassing that the Field Museum will refuse to host future Kellogg events unless they can treat it like a high school prom, with breathalyzers, high security, and chaperones.
 
The goal of social and cultural events is to have fun, but a formal event at historical landmarks in Chicago should not be treated as a night out at the Keg. Not only will few venues be willing to host Kellogg events, but this type of behavior can decrease the value of a Kellogg MBA for us and future students.
 
We ask that you bear this message in mind at future social, cultural, and recruiting events, and that you treat students, event organizers, and the host property with respect.
 
Thank you,

[Name redacted from Kellogg Student Association]

I wrote to the student who apparently authored the reprimand, which appears legitimate and has begun to circulate more widely in recent days. I received a return email stating that she is away and unavailable for a couple of days. I also tried Northwestern’s PR department early this morning; no word back yet.